Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Jobs

Position Description
Priority screening date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Exam #: 23/12C016/04KM
The County of Monterey seeks a highly qualified professional for the Assistant Agricultural Commissioner position responsible for providing highly complex assistance in the planning, direction, overall management, policy direction and implementation of the projects and activities of the Agricultural Commissioner's Office.
THE COMMUNITY
The County of Monterey is set in a picturesque coastal location and offers tourists and residents alike the comfort of a moderate, Mediterranean climate, miles of beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, groves of redwoods, low-rolling foothills, and scenic valleys. Boasting such world-renowned attractions as the spectacular Big Sur Coast, Laguna Seca Raceway, 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cannery Row, the Steinbeck Center, the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals and Pebble Beach - possibly the world's most famous golf course, it's easy to see why over 450,000 residents choose to live here and an estimated 4 million visitors a year make Monterey County their destination of choice.
Monterey County is known for its natural resources, pristine environmental sites, long military history, and as a location for top educational institutions. The County encompasses a total land area of 3,324 square miles. There has been steady growth over the past decade and the County now has approximately 450,000 residents residing in 12 cities and unincorporated areas. The County is known as the "Salad Bowl of the World" and is one of the nation's top agricultural producers. Agriculture is the County's largest sector in terms of economic output and employment, touching nearly every facet of life in Monterey County. Most agricultural companies continue to be family-owned and operated. Core to the success of agriculture and the community in Monterey County is the access and management of water resources.
THE OFFICE OF THE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
The Office of the Agricultural Commissioner promotes and protects agriculture, protects the health and safety of workers, the public, and the environment, safeguards the County from the introduction of harmful pests and diseases detrimental to agriculture and our environment, promotes and protects agriculture and assures business and consumer confidence in the marketplace. The Assistant Agricultural Commissioner is appointed by the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures and assists the Commissioner in the overall direction and management of the office and serves as the Commissioner in the event of an absence or schedule conflict. The Agricultural Commissioner is responsible for managing a FY 22-23 budget of over $13 million and a staff of 75 FTE's.
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Examples of Duties
Key Responsibilities Include

• Supervises and participates in analytical studies, organizational and administrative problems, recommends solutions and improvements in departmental methods and procedures.
• Represents the Agricultural Commissioner at a variety of meetings/functions/civic affairs and special assignments; makes pub-lic presentations explaining and interpreting the Agricultural Commissioner Office functions and programs.
• Directs the personnel actions of the department; coordinates and assists in the recruitment and selection process of department personnel; assists in the preparation and resolution of disciplinary issues and supervises subordinate management and supervisory personnel.
• Confers with and directs management and supervisory staff in the efficient use of department personnel and equipment, and in the effective operation of department programs.
• Directs and assists in the preparation and administration of the annual department budget including revenue projection, review and analysis of budget requests, development of justification for budget proposals and monitoring of budget performance; pre-pares board messages and reports relating to department operations. Assumes managerial responsibilities for the Water Re-sources Agency in the General Manager-WRA absence, with decision-making authority on the full range of department issues.
• Acts in the absence of the Agricultural Commissioner with decision-making authority on the full range of departmental issues.
• Consults with and assists the Agricultural Commissioner in the planning, coordination, management, and administration of all phases of departmental operations, which includes formulating/interpreting/recommending policies and programs, collecting data, and preparing comprehensive oral, written, and statistical reports on department activities. Directly supervises, assigns, reviews and evaluates the work of all division management staff, including providing for and participating in the selection, training and development, evaluation and discipline of staff and their work assignments; establishes and provides employee goals, objectives and performance standards and recommends alternatives as necessary.

QUALFICATIONS
Thorough Knowledge Of

• The principles of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Federal, state and county laws, regulations, policies, and agreements pertaining to agricultural and sealer programs, regulation, and enforcement.
• The principles and practices of management techniques, supervisory/personnel administration, and training.

Working knowledge of:

• The structure and function of County government.

Skill and Ability to:

• Effectively plan, direct, and administer program operations so as to accomplish broad policies, goals and objectives.
• Plan, direct and evaluate the work of subordinate staff engaged in agricultural and weights and measures inspection and enforcement programs.
• Train and supervise subordinate staff.
• Apply basic data processing/computer skills and techniques.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply laws, rules, policies, and regulations as they relate to the function of the Agricultural Commissioner's Office program areas; assist in formulating and administering plans of enforcement.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with all levels of county employees, public officials, public and private agencies, community groups, members of the general public and of the international community, and the news medi
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including skills to prepare and present ideas, facts, recommendations, finan-cial and statistical reports in an understandable and persuasive manner, gain cooperation from diverse interest groups through discussion and persuasion.

Examples of Experience/Education/Training
Experience
Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:
Option I
Responsibilities
Two (2) years' experience performing the duties of a Deputy Agricultural Commissioner or Sealer with at least one of the following responsibilities

• Directing a major branch office of a County Agricultural Commissioner's department

OR

• Commodity Regulation
• Weights & Measures Inspection
• Pest Prevention and Plan Regulation
• Pesticide Regulation
• Directing one or more of the following County-wide programs such as:
• Integrated Pest Management

Option II
Two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or management position within Division of Plant Health and Pest Prevention or the Division of Measurement Standards of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, or within the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.
AND (For both options)
Education
College level courses, seminars, or training in business or public administration, management, or related topics.
Additional Information
Required Conditions Of Employment
As a condition of employment, the incumbent will be required:

• Possess a valid California Sealer License issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency; travel out of County to attend meetings.
• Possess a valid California Class C Driver's License at the time of appointment and possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record or produce evidence of suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority.
• Possess a valid County Agricultural Commissioner License issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The County Also Offers a Competitive Benefits Package, Including
This is an At-will position. The salary range for the Deputy General Manager-Water Resources Agency is $117,380 to $160,311 and placement within the range is dependent on qualifications.

• Life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance
• Stipends: $375/month automobile, $400/year professional development, $50/month management expense allowance
• Health Insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
• Paid leave: 23 days of annual leave in first year up to 37 days after 25 years, 12 holidays, 1 floating holiday; 10 days professional leave per year non-accruable
• New CalPERS Member: 2% @ 62, 7% employee contribution
• Deferred compensation voluntary plan
• Retirement: Enrollment in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
• Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care, and Employee Assistance Program
• Classic CalPERS Member: 2% @ 55, 7% employee contribution

County of Monterey is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County provides reasonable accommodations for the disabled.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Us Or By Mail
To apply for this exciting opportunity, submit a complete resume and cover letter by the priority screening date Friday, May 5, 2023, via e-mail to [email protected].
County of Monterey - Human Resources Department
Attention: Cynthia Juarez, Human Resources Analyst
168 West Alisal Street, Third Floor
Salinas, CA 93901
Contact Kim Moore, Assistant Director of Human Resources at [email protected] or (831) 755-5353 for additional information.
First review of resumes: Monday, May 8, 2023
Closing Date/Time: Continuous